Tank-cleaning device



Dec. 4, 1928.

A. B. BUTTl-:RWQRTH TANK CLEANING DEVICE Filed Sept. 15

Patentedl Dec. 4, 1928.'

UNITED STATES l 1,693,885 PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR B. BUTTERWORTH, 0F PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS.

TAN K-CLEAN ING DEVICE.

Application led September 15,1927'. Serial No. 219,684.

the tank in such a way as to permit movement and to permit the fluid to be directed over a larger area in the tank and to thus render the structure more efficient.

The particular details cooperating to produce the improved structure will become more readily apparent from the following description and drawings.

' Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the device and the supporting equipment, and

the lmanner in which it is associated with a tank car, for cleaning the car.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the improved mounting for the cleaning device and fluid circulator.

Referring to the drawings 'by reference numerals, it will be seen that the reference cliaracter 3 designates the body ofthe tank car which is provided at its top with the customary filler neck 4 having a closing cap 5. In this connection, the cap is formed at its center with an opening the peripheral por- 'tion of which is beveled to provide 'a seat for a rockable mounting 6. This mounting 6 is in the form of'a body having a vertical` hole passing through its center and having its lower portion of semi-spherical` form to rest niovably in said seat.

The extended top portion 7 is flat and'pro'- vides a rest for an arm 8 which supportsga suitable drive or motor 9. Depending into the interior of the tank as shown in Fig. 2,'is the fluid circulating and cleaning device represented'generally by the reference character 10. This device is the subject matter of the aforesaid Patent, No. 1,557,240.

This device embodies a depending tube having injector'nozzle at its bottom and having a gear 11 at its top. J Incidentally, the aforesaid motor 9 is equipped with a shaft having a worm drive 12 in mesh with the gear 11, thus serving to rotate the device 1(l.- AWith Athis arrangement, it will be noticed that the `worm drive is in constant mesh irrespective conclusion.

of the movement of the cleaning device 12. In other words, the cleaning device may be swung to the dotted line positions to vary its positions as shown in Fig. 2, while rotating.

Ordinarily, this cleaning device is rigidly mounted, and the fluid can only be sprayed through 'a limited area. With this arrangement, the device can be swung longitudinally and transversely so that the spray can be directed over a considerable area, in the tank.

Associated with the upper end of the details just described, is a hoisting means designated generally at 13, this being suspended from a suitable support 14 carried on the upper end of a properly braced standard. These parts provide a scaiold which also includes a' platform 15, which the operator may Walk upon.

l'the suction pump 20, and leads back to the tank 16 as at 21. This pipe 19 and pump 20 serve to remove the sediment laden fluid from the tank 3, whereupon it is returned to the Vtank 16.

With this structure, it is not necessary to send men into the tank. This eliminates the danger and discomfort of this character of work. The heater coils do not have to be removed and` replacedv after cleaning. No hand or pneumatic scaling is necessary, as the force of the liquid stream removes practically all sediment and dirt. One man can handle the equipment and carry the work to a successful Any number of cars can be cleaned at once, limited only by the size of the cleaning apparatus and track facilities.A

Attention is also invited to the fact that the apparatus can be employed for cleaning out tanks. This is advantageous because bel fore repairs are undertaken in tank cars or other tanks, that have containeda volatile'oil, acids and the like, it is necessary to steam them to kill the gas before allowing the men to enter and the apparatus here outlined can'be used for this purpose, as well as for the tank cleaning purpose already described.

Undoubtedly, however, these advantages and others will be quite clear to persons skilled in the art to which the. invention relates.

Therefore, a more lengthy description' vis l n thought unnecessary.

Changes in shape, Size, and re-mngement of parts coming within the4 field of the invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thusdescribed my I claim as new is :-A

'1.` In a tank cleaning device 'of the class described, a cap adapted to fit upon a liller neck on said tank, said ca having acentral openinvention, what 4 ing whose periphera edge portionis beveled to provide a seat, a tank cleaning and fluid circulating nozzle, a mounting for said nozzle, said mounting having a vertical hole through which a portion of said nozzle passes,

said mountin'gmcluding a semi-spherical base resting rockably. upon said seat, and' means for rotating said nozzle, said means being supported from the mounting.

2. In a tank cleaning device of the class described, a closing cap having a central opening whose edge 'portion is beveled to. provide a seat, a tank cleaning and fluid circulating nozzle, a mountingv for the nozzle having a cluding a pipe provided at its Abottom with clis-` tributing nozzles, a universalmounting on said device permitting it to be swung in aA pendulous manner in various directions while introducing the fluid into a tank under pressure, and means for simultaneously rotating said device with respect to the mounting while f it is being swung in said tank.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

' ARTHUR B. BUTTERWORTH. 

